Gluten Free Friday: Cornbread

The cold weather just calls for chilli. Chilli calls for cornbread. I tried out this mix from bloomfield farms

The recipe was easy to follow and quick. Bake. Done. The  bread was yummy and perfect for chilli!

Recommend and will do again! Nom nom!!!

Cheers,
Lauren

Shakeology Review

I have actually had this post for awhile now and needed to be written. At the beginning of summer I began the T25 workout but didn't finish it due to the horrible bone bruise I incurred on my shin. I could not work out for a long time, even with modifiers.

But I did try the shakeology that came with my videos. I thought I would give it a try. Now it did NOT say it was overtly gluten free. It is a proprietary mix of things so I was really nervous about trying this out. I did some research on the internet where some other people mentioned it was gluten free. I gave it a try.

I have now tried it multiple times with different combos of fruits to generate different flavors. Overall, the taste and texture is good. Do I feel less hungry? Nope. Actually, I found myself getting hungrier quicker. In either recipe I tried, I was HUNGRY. The company bills its product as giving you more energy, etc. I did not observe any change from my normal diet in having their product. I tend to throw up a red flag when a company promotes their product has so much benefits. As a scientist by day, I tend to be critical and review everything.  Now comes my last thought regarding purchasing this again- the price. For a 30 day supply, it cost $130. That is a little pricey for my budget.

Based on the assessment of my cravings, not knowing what is actually in the mix, and the price my overall consensus is I will not be purchasing this product again. I don't doubt there is healthy items in the mix, or for some people using this as a meal replacement would yield positive benefits. My own personal meals are pretty healthy and I know what gets put in them. And if there is no labeling it just makes me so nervous!!! With me wanting to save for a house, I just can't justify the money spent.

Cheers,
Lauren

Please note that all these opinions are my own and are not that of others. I was not reimbursed in any way, shape  or form for my opinion. Please make your own judgements regarding the efficacy of this product.

GF chocolate pie

Trying out the new Pillsbury pie and pastry crust, I finally found it at my grocery store. I have heard decent things about the dough. Let's give it a go! I wanted chocolate pie. Badly.

I followed the recipe on the box. Cut it in half and begin to roll it out. I had also realized this was my first time making a pie. I had no idea what I was doing. But I made it work. I then followed the instructions on how to cook.

Next I made my filling. I used this recipe, which I made my own whipped cream. Yeah! Go me. After that, add and refrigerate!

So the taste was pretty good, I just needed to melt the chocolate a little better. The crust was soggy at first but the next day it was great. I enjoyed being a normal eater again. I would totally use this crust again!

Cheers,
Lauren

Tropical breeze smoothie

On a smoothie kick. Found this recipe in the Deliciously G-Free book. It is called tropical breeze smoothie.

Pretty simple: coconut water, flax seed meal, bananas, lime juice, lime zest, pineapple. Blend.

Absolutely delicious! And that takes care of a recipe from this book! 

yeah it made a lot and I was full!
Cheers,
Lauren

gluten free cookie review

The best gluten free chocolate chip cookies in the world! Seriously that is what the box said. Found these at TJ Maxx.

 The funniest thing was the label on the bag inside.
Just like fine wine, these cookies must be opened and allowed for the flavor to develop for 10 minutes. So I did just that. They are small, bite size cookies.

They were actually pretty tasty. I will agree to that. I did enjoy them. They were one of the top gluten free cookies in the world. They are the crunch cookie and I prefer soft or else I'd say they might be the best cookies in the world. But I love the WOW chocolate chip cookies-b/c they are a soft cookie.

Not bad! I would recommend!

Cheers,
Lauren

Taking the fun out of chocolate chip cookies, gf review

Ok today is just another review. Yeah haven't tried any new recipes at the moment. Need to pick out a few. So will have to settle for another review. This time cookies. Well let's just say these enjoy life chocolate chip cookies really had the fun taken out of them. They taste like fruit!!! Yes fruit!! Not really like chocolate chip cookies should taste like. Looked on the back... yeah had dates and date juice. I'm sure other date stuff too. So this just tasted like a big date cookie with some (mind you few) chocolate "chips" which were probably made of dates or something. I got really cranky can't you tell? Why? Why take the fun out of my cookies? If I wanted something healthy, I but "healthy" cookies.

Yeah small and sad. Never again.

With much sadness,
Lauren

Gluten Free: Bread crumbs and fried chicken try

I miss fried chicken. I do. Chicken nuggets too. I found this at the store by Namaste and thought I would give it a try.

I followed the instructions, used an egg and some chicken breasts I had on hand. I got sassy and decided to add italian seasoning to my second batch. Fried those puppies up. Done!

The chicken on the left is with the bread crumbs and the right is with my added italian seasoning. 

Now they looked great coming out of the frying pan and tasted good right then and there. HOWEVER ONCE THEY WERE COOLED THERE WAS A WEIRD TASTE. No joke. There was this sort of chemical taste to them and it was in both so it wasn't the seasoning. It was just the bread crumbs themselves. I couldn't place it but it was off. Even my boyfriend agreed and he actually came to the same conclusion independent of myself. Something is not right. 

I do not recommend, and will not buy again. Sorry gluten free fried chicken, that is still going to have to wait some... Sigh. Oh well, can't eat them all!

Cheers,

Lauren

GF Granola try: bakery on main

Now granola is something many of us gluten free people avoid. Mostly because oats are contaminated with gluten, not necessarily b/c they contain gluten. However, I decided to try bakery on main's granola, cranberry maple. I added it to some yogurt.

OMG Yum! Didn't react! Very tasty! Definitely love! Definitely recommend. And will purchase again. It is a bit pricey but I do come across coupons so that helps.

Cheers,
Lauren

Gluten Free Review: Pancake Mix- FAIL

We tried this mix on Christmas. We decided to splurge and make some pancakes. So we tried this mix I think I got from my mom. I can't remember. It was just in our pantry.

Easy to make, cook, they LOOKED decent

However, they literally fall apart in our mouths. It was impossible to pick it up with a fork. The taste wasn't all that awesome. It was super light hence why it just fell apart. I didn't even finish mine, neither did my boyfriend. We threw away the rest of the box mix. Not worth it, Don't recommend.

Hopefully there will be better food reviews in 2014!

Cheers,
Lauren

Gluten Free Cookie Review

Today I am reviewing these double chocolate cookies. I was super excited.

The cookies come in wrapped trays.

OMG these were awful. Just plain awful. Bad cardboard. I threw them away!! That's how bad they were. I do not recommend.

That's all I can say,
Lauren

GF Cheese Biscuits and thanksgiving review!

For thanksgiving this year I decided to try out this mix for cheese rolls.

The mix was so easy to make and I used fried grated sharp cheddar cheese. Really easy to knead the dough. And easy to make the rolls.

Here is the end result... these were super yummy!

I would definitely do again. Next time I would flatten the balls out. This would give a better cook with evenness. There were some spots that were doughy. Just small spots. But definitely again!

I made my own stuffing using some of the frozen breads I had. I cut them into small pieces, tossed with oil and seasoning and baked for 20 minutes. The next day I sauteed some peppers, onions and mixed up. It was great for the turkey but too dry for eating. I attempted to make crockpot mashed potatoes but I got my ratios wrong. So I added this to it and it was fabulous!

Cheers,
Lauren

Gluten Free Review: Granola Bar

Thought I would try these new granola that are gluten free. Now oatmeal is gluten free. But usually most things with oats in them are contaminated with other grains that are gluten containing. I was hopeful about this bar.

It looked good.

It tasted good too. I didn't feel weird after eating it so it was gluten free. Though I don't know if would purchase again. They were ok but I'm not that crazy about them that I would spend my money on them.

Cheers,
Lauren

Gluten Free Review: chocolate chip muffins

I was so excited to find these muffins in the freezer section at the grocery store. Breakfast is the hardest thing to deal with, there are not a lot of gluten options eating out. I mean who puts pancake mix in omelletes and scrambled eggs? So frustrating!!

So they have to stay frozen. But you can easily pull one out and thaw and eat it.

Just put it microwave for about 30 seconds to heat it (as recommended) and voila! Ready to eat!

OMG these were heavenly. I definitely recommend!

Cheers,
Lauren

GF Review- Dang Chips

Yes that is the name of these chips we purchased. Dang. They are toasted coconut chips.

They are small. but DANG they a DELICIOUSLY ADDITIVE!!

DANG DANG DANG!!! THEY ARE AMAZING!!

These did not last long in my house! They are way too tasty!

Highly recommend. Got them at TJ Maxx as you can see. I might have to find where else I can find them!


xoxoxo,
Lauren

GF Review: Seed Dippers

Another great TJ Maxx find! I miss crackers. Not going to lie. And sometimes having something with flavor and different is hard to come by. So I tried these and paired it with hummus. MMM hummus.

Here is what the chip looked like. Long and perfect for scooping. Love it!

With my my hummus.

Taste is great! Great to dip with and not break! Always a plus! I would definitely purchased again!

xoxoxo,
Lauren

Gluten Free Review: Laughing Giraffe Energy Snacks

OOh! these are to die for!!! I found these snack balls in TJ maxx and thought I would give them a try!

Vegan, all natural, gluten free and thoroughly tasty and delicious. 

I even gave them to my co-workers and they also gave them thumbs up (even the picky eaters!)

Highly recommend to purchase (that is if you can find on sale).

xoxoxo,
Lauren

Udi's Gluten Free Pizza Review

Here is my review of Udi's gluten free pizza. I was pretty excited about this pizza. Pizza is one of the things I miss pizza a lot!

Pretty easy to cook....

Ok now on the taste. It was nothing to write home about (or really on a blog). It did not taste that awesome. Honestly compared with Amy's Pizza that is Gluten Free, this does NOT compare. I would not purchase this again. I would not spend my money, not worth it. You can be your own judge. But never again.

Cheers,
Lauren

Gluten Free Review:Crunch Flax Cereal

Trying out something new-- crunch flax cereal

So poured myself a bowl

Added milk... and um it needed some flavor, so i added strawberries

Yeah I would recommend with some sort of flavored milk.... Healthy but bland and boring. Definitely needs flavor. Not bad though. Just needs flavor.

I don't know if I would purchase again. Let me finish the first box and I'll make a decision then!

xoxoxo,
Lauren

Gluten free food review: Chocolate chip cookies

I am always up for trying a new cookie. These are from Enjoy Life, which always produce good products.

I was slightly disappointed when I opened the box..

Not many cookies at all and for the price.... Ok here is what the cookies look like, a main component are dates. So this is new..

So they don't "look" like chocolate chip cookies per se, but they were really yummy. I would recommend but the price to me makes them slightly unappealing. I would probably not buy these again just b/c of the price-but not b/c of the taste. 

xoxoxo,

Lauren

Gluten Review: Brown Rice Pasta

Trying out new pasta. I am always in the mood for new pasta to try out. Sometimes it is nice to have a little variety. Brown rice pasta here. I found it at Giant Grocery Store.

Again it cooks longer than gluten pasta but that is not surprising to me. It looks really nice. Add sauce.

I also threw in some fresh mozarella. Done. The taste was great! Did not taste like rice!

Will definitely buy again. I highly recommend!

xoxoxo,
Lauren